Tips to tackle stress and improve mental health

The focus for Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 is stress.

Research shows that two thirds of us experience a mental health problem in our lifetime, and stress is a key factor in this.

The Mental Health Foundation believe that by tackling stress we can go a long way to tackle mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and, in some instances, self-harm and suicide.

With that in mind, our Therapy team have produced our latest Little Book, which focuses on stress and gives you some tips on how you can tackle stress in your day-to-day life to help improve your mental health.

> Click here to download our Little Book Of Tips to Tackle Stress 

What is stress?

Stress is primarily a physical response. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to 'fight or flight' mode, releasing a complex cocktail or hormones and chemicals, preparing the body for physical action.

Stress in small amounts can help us to achieve and focus. However, when stress becomes a way of life the negative impact on our physical and mental wellbeing can be huge.

Faced with the challenges of busy work and home lives, it's important to try and commit some time during the day to just relax and recharge. Switching off for a short time can give you the chance to calm your mind and gain some perspective.

"Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going alone, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering" - Winnie the Pooh

Can mindfulness help me to manage my stress?

Learning to be mindful is proven to help with stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours. 

Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. Training your mind to become more aware and accepting of your thoughts, feelings and present experience can be a powerful tool in managing stress.

"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are" - Chinese proverb

When it all gets too much, don't be afraid to talk about your feelings

Sharing your feelings isn't a sign of weakness, it's an investment in your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.

If you need to talk to someone there are many services and organisations that can offer help and support, including your GP, Samaritans and Mind.

"Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled" - Mental Health Foundation

How our Therapy service can help

St Andrew's Therapy help people overcome many common mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression, and enable people to function better in their every day lives.

Please get in touch to speak to someone about how our Therapy service can help.